I’m interested in having a ring made. Where do I start?

We have two options for made-to-order rings. You may choose to (1) design a ring by selecting a stone and setting or (2) go the completely custom design route if you have something else in mind.

For the first option, start by browsing our loose stone library. We source and cut a collection of beautiful stones which can be paired with our ring settings to create a one of a kind piece. Once you find a stone and setting that you like, you can purchase them through the website and we’ll reach out to begin the design process. Creating distinctive, special pieces is our focus and we’ve created this process to be as clear as possible, but we’ll happily walk you through the design process and answer any questions you may have.

For the second option, please contact us through our custom inquiry form and wait to hear back!

I want a totally custom design. Can you help?

Yes, our books our currently open. This is not always the case as it depends on our team’s availability, but we are enthusiastic to work in close collaboration with you to make the perfect piece and bring your vision into reality. For fully custom designs, please submit a custom design inquiry here or email sarah@preciousghost.com directly. Our minimum cost for custom designs typically begins at around $3,500, but we offer flexibility on this for simpler designs. Some projects may be difficult to provide an exact quote without knowing how much time and labor will be required, in which case we provide an estimate quote only. We’re confident in our ability to work within your budget or communicate upfront if it isn’t possible.

Do I get to preview my ring before it’s made?

Yes, we want you to be able to make the most informed and confident decisions possible. Our goldsmiths will reach out to confirm that the stone and setting you choose will work together, then assemble a 3D rendering of your ring for approval. With these renderings, you will be able to see the ring from all angles in the metal color of your choosing. In addition, we include a video and a rendering on a hand so you can see what the piece would look like worn. As a default, we send these renderings in a medium skin tone, but please let us know if you would prefer a lighter or darker skin tone rendering if you don’t think medium would be the best match for you. We find that these renderings are a great way to see how ratios and colors work together in the creation of your piece. At this stage in the process, we’re able to make alterations and changes to the design before moving forward with your approval.

What are the best stones for engagement rings?

The best stones for engagement rings are usually defined by their hardness - the ability to last a lifetime of wear with minimal chipping or scuffing. All stones are measured on the Mohs Scale of Hardness. Diamonds are placed as a 10 on the scale, the hardest substance on earth and a natural choice for engagement rings. If you are looking for a colored stone, sapphire is our favorite. Sapphire comes in a rainbow of stunning colors and are placed as a 9 on the Mohs scale, easily hard enough to stand the test of time. Between the colors and cuts, we find that sapphire has the most options for each client’s distinctive tastes.

Other stones like ruby and spinel can make great engagement stones too, but we recommend avoiding softer stones like emerald, aquamarine, or opal as they are susceptible to flaws with daily wear over a lifetime. If these are still the stones you’d like in your ring, please contact us to discuss options.

I have a family diamond I’d like to use in a ring. Do you work with client stones?

Occasionally, we can work with a center stone that a client provides, however we may not choose to use smaller stones or “melee” from outside our regular sources. Our ability to use a client’s stone depends on various factors. If we do agree to use a client’s stone, we charge a setting fee to be determined on a case-by-case basis and are not liable for any issues that may arise during setting. For inquiries regarding client stones, please reach out to us here.

How do I find out my partner’s or my own ring size?

We can ship you a free ring sizing set at no cost to determine the correct size, just let us know when placing your order. We do not recommend buying a random sizer online as they may be inaccurate. To determine your partner’s size without them knowing, we suggest enlisting the help of trusted friends or family. You can also determine size based off a ring that they already have and wear - just make sure it’s the correct finger!

What if I need a larger or smaller ring size than I see in the dropdown menu?

If you need a size that you don’t see listed, please say so in the Customer Notes section when you check out and indicate the specific size that you need. We are limited in how many options we can display on the website, so don’t hesitate to ask if you don’t see your size option. For Ready to Ship designs, some have limitations to how much bigger or smaller they can go, but we will do our best to accommodate your needs.

How do you source your materials?

It is integral to our values and mission to use materials with high traceability and ethical sourcing whenever possible, as such we take many measures to make sure our intention matches our impact. We buy rough direct from miners and/or work with trusted gem dealers to source beautiful stones. We only use recycled gold. Our casting is done in-house, as well as much of our stone faceting. In contrast to the industry standard of outsourced production, these measures allow us to have more control and involvement to ensure that materials, craftsmanship, and sourcing meet our standards.

Are your metals nickel-free?

We mix our metal alloys and cast in-house, which allows us to offer different options for people who are sensitive to nickel. Our 14k White Gold alloy contains a trace amount of nickel which isn’t an option for everyone, but we offer Platinum and 14k White Gold Palladium alloy as a completely nickel-free option at an additional cost.

Do you have a studio space that I can come to for stone viewings or appointments regarding custom designs?

No, we don’t currently have a studio space open to the public, but we’re confident that it doesn’t impact the depth of communication or approval processes available to clients. In the near future, we hope to have a physical retail space where you can see pieces in person, but for now we suggest connecting with us on social media to stay informed on pop-up events in California. If you’re in Connecticut, you can view our jewelry in person at Deep River Goldsmith. For communication needs, we encourage clients to reach out through our contact form or direct email to address any inquiries, which will promptly be responded to.

Do you offer payment plans?

Yes! We offer financing through Affirm. Please note that payment options through Affirm are subject to an eligibility check and are provided by these lending partners: affirm.com/lenders We are also open to breaking purchases up into a few simple installments. We typically ask that you pay the cost of the stone and $500 of your total price up front. The remainder can then be paid when the item is finished. Ideally, the total timeframe of these payments is three months, but we are occasionally able to offer longer time frames.

 

S H I P P I N G

 

How long until I receive my order?

This is dependent on the type of piece you’ve ordered. For Design Your Own engagement rings, you can expect 4-6 weeks from initial contact to receiving your ring. It’s important to keep in mind that due to the collaborative nature of these pieces, we need your approval during the process to move forward, so delivery times are dependent on timely feedback from you. In some circumstances, we are able to accommodate shorter time frames upon request. Please ask, we'll do our best to make it happen!

If you’re looking for something right away, browse our Ready to Ship offerings which typically ship in 1-3 business days.

For pieces in our permanent collection (found in the drop down “Shop” section at the top of this website), we typically make pieces to order and ship within 1-2 weeks. If you are in a hurry, please contact us as soon as possible and we will do our best to accommodate your timeframe.

How will my order be shipped?

We ship mostly via FedEx, occasionally via UPS or USPS. Please contact us if you have a preference, but please note that we cannot ship Fedex or UPS to PO Boxes. Upon shipment, you will receive a tracking number via email to watch the progress of your delivery.

How long does shipping take?

For domestic US clients, you can expect 2-3 days in transit to most addresses. For international clients, we ship with FedEx International Priority. While the travel time for this service is typically 2-4 business days, it’s worth noting that customs may delay packages by a few days or in some cases, weeks. While we work with a trusted broker to ship packages, we have no control over customs delays or import duties. If there are any taxes or duties upon import, those are the responsibility of the client to pay.

Will I be charged sales tax?

Yes, we are required to collect sales tax for purchases shipping within California.

 

WARRANTY + RETURNS

 

Does my purchase come with a warranty?

We will repair any manufacturing defects free of charge within a year of purchase. Most manufacturing defects will appear within a month or so of wear, so this should be plenty of time to make any structural repairs for the longevity of your piece. You are responsible for shipping the piece back to us and may contact us if you’d like to purchase a prepaid, insured shipping label. Once we inspect the piece, we will proceed with any necessary repairs within the scope of manufacturing defects and promptly ship the piece back to you. It is worth noting that this limited warranty does not include rings lost to bodies of water, garden beds, sticky fingers, or bizarre electrocution accidents involving damage of the piece.

How can I insure my purchase?

Our primary recommendation is to contact the provider of your renter’s or homeowner’s insurance to see if your jewelry can be added to your policy coverage. For higher value pieces, we suggest contacting Jeweler’s Mutual for a policy specific to your jewelry collection. Jewelry insurance on average costs 1-2% of your piece’s value, making it a cost effective way to protect your investment. We truly can’t impress enough how strongly we recommend that every customer insures their purchase.

What is your return policy?

For items in the “Ready to Ship” section of our website, we accept returns within 7 days of receipt for store credit only. All "Ready to Ship" returns must be in new, unworn condition. We will be able to confirm your return within 3-5 business days once we receive your request. For custom-made pieces from the “Build Your Own” section of the website, all sales are final and we do not accept returns. This will be covered in the contract paperwork we send you to move forward with your custom work.